Insulation removing machine



Sept. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 15, .1953

//V|/E/V7 0 RUFUS 7 STAUDT I ATTORNEY NN haw a\ Se t. 11, 1956 R. T.STAUDT 2,762,247

INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE Filed July 13, 1955. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2I/VVE/VTOE RUFUS 7.' STA/107' B) 42mm X A TTORNEY Sept. 11, 1956 R. T.STAUDT 2,752,247

INSULATION REMOVING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3l/VVE/VTOR RUFUS 7'. 5714007 Sept. 11, 1956 R. T. STAUDT INSULATIONREMOVING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 13, 1953 n WQ.

" HUI/ENTOR RUFUS T 37140777 ATTORNEY United States Patent INSULATIONREMOVING MACHINE Rufus T. Staudt, Cicero, I]l., assignor to GeneralElectric Company, a corporation of New York Application July '13, 1953,Serial No. 367,629

12 Claims. (Cl. 819.51)

This invention relates to means for removing relatively short portionsof insulation at locations intermediate the ends of lengths of insulatedwire.

In electrical apparatus such as electric ranges, washing machines, andthe like having a plurality of switches or other control devices, it isfrequently necessary to connect into the same circuit or a conductorthereof, a plurality of terminals or controls which are more or lesswidely separated about the apparatus. It is the practice to use a singleconductor of sufficient length to reach several terminals and to stripthe insulation where needed to expose the conductor for connection. Ithas been proposed to crush or shatter the insulation at the desiredlocations, or otherwise prepare it for easy removal from the wire. Thedisadvantages of this method are that additional labor is usuallyrequired to remove stubbornly adhering shreds of insulation; theconductor may be physically damaged; and depending somewhat upon thetype of insulation, the surface of the conductor may be left with a filmor thin coating of insulation which must be scraped away or theconductor otherwise cleaned to prepare its surface for making a goodelectrical connection.

It is an object of my invention to provide mechanism for removinginsulation at intervals along a length of wire, and, as an inherentfactor of the renewal operation, conditioning the exposed conductor forgood electrical connection.

It is another object of my invention to provide insulation removalmechanism which may be easily adjusted for varying thicknesses ofinsulation.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide means for removinginsulation from wires at predetermined positions along the length of thewire.

It is a further object of my invention to provide insulation removalmeans which may be satisfactorily operated by unskilled labor.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved organization ofrotary brushes for removing insulation from lengths of wire, means beingprovided for preventing excessive spreading of the bristles of thebrushes when in use.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, a work table hasmounted thereon means for rotatably supporting a length of Wire atlocations at which the insulation is to be removed. Clutch means areprovided to engage the wire for rotation about its axis at a relativelylow rate of speed. Mounted on said table at opposite sides of said wiresupporting means, as upon vertically extending pivoted arm members, arerotatable brushes; means are provided to rotate said brushes atappropriate speed, and means are provided to conjointly rotate saidsupport arms to bring the respective brushes into or out of engagementwith the insulation. An adjustable stop is provided to limit the extentof rotation of the respective arm members in the direction of the wire;and it is a feature of my invention that each brush is adjustable on itsown mounting arm, thus providing means whereby either or both of thebrushes may be accurately guided 2 for movement through the insulationlayer and into light burnishing contact with the rotating conductor.

It is another feature of the invention that the clutch means engages thewire to rotate it prior to the operation of the brushes; and further,said clutch means provide for easy longitudinal movement of the wire sothat the operator may remove insulation at spaced locations along thewire. It is also a feature of the invention that wire support and guidemeans are arranged to engage the sides of the respective brushes at theouter ends of the bristles to establish a maximum limit of brush widthduring the insulation removal operation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an insulation removing machineconstructed according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof, in section on lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, looking in the direction of the arrows 33 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine, at theinsulation-removal portion thereof;

Fig. 5 is a plan section of the brush support adjustment means, taken onlines 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side sectional elevation of the clutch mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the brushes in operation,one of the brushes having been adjusted to remove only the outermostlayer of insulation;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the clutch jaws, in section on lines8-8 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic control diagram showing the distribution andcontrol for the compressed air to the clutch and brush operating aircylinders.

Fig. 1 shows a general side elevational view of the apparatus. Thecontrol system is illustrated in Fig. 9, and will be discussedhereinafter. Fig. 9 also schematically shows the operating linkages forthe brushes and clutch mechanism.

The work table 1 is suitably constructed and provided with platforms andother appropriate structures for carrying various operating components.For example, the work table may have transverse members 2 on which issecured a rail 3 which may advantageously be a light I-bearn in whichthe upper wall portion 3.1 provides a horizontal surface along which maybe positioned channel-shaped stop members 3.2. These members are used toestablish the various positions along the length of the wire at whichthe insulation is to be removed. The stop members are slidable along thesurface of the rail and set screws or equivalent 3.3 may be employed tofix stop members in selected positions.

It has been previously noted that the wire is rotated about its axisduring the insulation removal operation. This is advantageouslyaccomplished by a clutch mechanism best shown in Fig. 6.

The work W, Fig. 6, is rotatably supported in bearings 4, respectivelymounted on standards 5, 5.1, so as to cause the, wire to lie on thesurface of the rail 3 along the centrol portion thereof. Standard 5 maybe conveniently secured to the lower flange of rail 3 by screws Spassing through slotted openings in the foot of the standard to permitspace adjustment relative to the associated standard 5.1. Each of thehearing may be press-fitted into its associated standard and each has anaxial bore to accommodate the work. Assuming that the wire is passedthrough the bearings from the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, the respectivebores have enlarged entrance portions. It will be apparent that thebearings may be substantially identical with frusto-conical faces andhard metal or Can boloy cemented carbide inserts as indicated at 4.1.

The standard "5.1 comprises the front support and bearing post of aclutch mechanism by means of which the work is rotated slowly during theinsulation removing operations. This standard, and a second one 5.2, arefitted with suitableanti-friction bearingsSfi. The 'clutch anddrive'mechanism includes a cylindrical tubular menrber'6 rotatablysupported in the rear bearing 5.3 and provided with a drive sheave 6:1.'A l1ead6J2 is bored to. receive clutch-jaw actuators 7 which arearrang'ed'for slidable movement through the head as presently described.The clutch mechanism "comprises a circular housing 8 having a stub shaft8.1 jour'naled bythe front bearing'5.3. The housing 8 hasadiarnetrical'passage 8.2 within which are slidably mounted a pair ofclutch jaws 8.3, the radially outermost endsv of Whichare "sloped forcooperation with the appropriately sloped ends of the actuators -7.Theinnermost ends of the clutch jaws imay .befaired'at their left edges,as viewed in' Fig. 6, to provide easy passage of the work therebetween,under certain circumstances later noted. The actuators 7 are affixed asby pins or the l ike to a'carrier 7.1 slidably mounted on the tubularmember 6, said member having a sleeve bearing 6.3 suitably fixedthereon.

A clutch energizer includes acollar 9 slidable and rotatable on thesleeve bearing 6.3 and a ring 9.1 freely rotatable on said collar.Desirably there is an'anti-friction bearing 9.2 disposed between thecollar and ring. It will be seen therefore that when the collar is movedto the right of Fig.6, the leading edge of the ring will engage thecarrier 7 .1 and drive it and its associated actuators 7 to the right.This movement will effectively camthe clutch jaws 8.3 against the work WWhen the ring is withdrawn, a coil spring or equivalent 7 .3 returnsthecarrier to the Fig. 6 position. If the housing 8 is being ro tated atthe time fas it would be if the member 6 were a being drivencentrifugalforces would cause the jaws 8.3 to move radially outward. This istheusual situation. If the apparatus were stationary and the jaws re:mained in their gripping position, they would nevertheless not interferewith the passage of the work'therethrough.

The faired-entr'ance edges of the clutch jaws would re- 7 ceive the workand urge the jaws apart.

, Motionof the collar is effected by a Y shaped yoke 10, pivotallymounted betweensupport posts 10.1 and having a pin and slot associationwith the collar 9. A forked end has a pin and slot attachment to acollar l1slidably'carried on the piston rod '12 of a pneumatic drivecylinder 14 suitably mounted on the machine table. The cylinderisarranged by the respective air conduits 14.1, 14.2, to subject eitherside of the piston to air pressure. Aspring 12.1 disposed between thecollar 11 and the headed end 12.2 of the piston rod provides forresiliently urging the yoke 10 into rotation clockwise of Fig. 6 whenthe piston rod is drivenfto the left'upon introduction of air throughthe fitting 14.2. A pin 12.3 carried by the piston rod will drive thecollar 11 to the right and'thus s ecure return rotation of the yoke whenthe'piston is subjec'ted'to air pressure through fitting 14.1. Theclutch is arranged to rotate the wire at about 108 R. P. M. A motor 15operating through a suitable geared speed reducer 15.1 and drive belt15.2 is arranged as shown in Fig. 1 todr ive the clutch drive sheave6.1.

The insulation removing brushes 16 are similar in construction andmounting. Each brush has wire bristles and is removably mounted betweenfacing plates 16.1 which support the sides of the bristles to a pointnear the extremitie s thereof. By conventional means the brushes arecarried at the .end of a drive shaft 16.2 mounted in anti-frictionbearings 16.3, housed within a tubular casing 16.4 near the respectiveends thereof. At the end of each shaft a sheave 16.5 accommodates adrive belt 16.6

The respective housings 16. are mounted for movement 'towa'rd'and awayfrom the work.

rising from shafts 17.1 rotatably carriedin' conventional pillow blocks17.2 fixed to the machine table. The upper ends of the arms may encirclethe housings 16.4, as indicated in Figs; 1 and 3. V y

The housings and their associated brushes are conjointly brought intoand out of operating relationship with the work, and it is afeature ofthe invention that although a fixed-stroke mechanism is employedt'orotate the brush carriages, the extent of rotation of the carriages isindividually adjustable.

upwardly along shaft 17 for a substantial extent and downwardly from theshaft toterminate ina link 13.1 pivotally connected to a;yoke 18.2provided on theend of a piston rod,13.3 projecting from a piston '(notshown) in a cylinder 18.4. Said cylinder has means 18.5, 18.6, to admitair selectively on each side of the piston, aslater described.

It will be apparent,

wardly-that is, away from thework. Upward move ment of the yoke willrotate the arms 18 toward the work. .Meanssuch as the adjustable stop13.7 limits the upward drive of the yoke.

. Rotation of the arms 18 is tra emitted to the associatedbrush-carriage. support arms 17 by a yoke mechanism best shown in Fig.5. h The arm Isis free to rotate with respect to arm 17. A rmj18'hasfixed thereto a yoke 29 having legportions "straddling the arm 17 andsaid leg portions accornmodate the screws 2111 by which the position ofarms 17 and 18 may be adjusted angularly relative to arm 18. It will beseen that armslj andlS may be arranged so as to have the same degree ofrotation in either direction; orby "adjusting one or the other o f theto a greater extent than the other, but it permits' the effectivework'stroke of each brush to be diiierent. For example, one brush mayhave heavy duty bristles to'a ttack a hard outer layerpf insulation, andthe other have lighter, relatively flexible bristles which maybeineffective against said outer layer but sutiicient to remove a softerinner layer of insulation and to 'burnish the ex p'osed conductor. Bysuitably setting up theyoke slcrews 20.1 of the heavy duty brush so thatthe arm 17 thereof is at an angle relative to the associated arm 13,

the brush can be established so that it wilt engage.

the insulation only at the end of its operating stroke nd it willtherefore penetrate only such outer layer.

In the meantime the flexible bristles of the other brush may haveengaged. the insulation butwill merely flex under the inw'arddrive ofthe brush without substantial eifect on the outer insulation layer.

A suitable control system is schematically shown in Fig. 9. .Brushmotors 16.7 and clutch motorlS are suitably Wired into an electric powercircuit having a main control switch 21. Asshown, all of the motors willbe in continuous operationduringperiods when switch 21 is closed.Control of the machine is thus transferred to the switch 22, whichcontrolsa solenoid-actuated valve orgariization regulating' flow 'ofcompressed air to the, brushmovement cylinder 18.4 and clutch operationcylinder .14. The air valve organization may bethe Ross Operating ValveCompanys type 835FD. The figure. shows the As indicated in: Figs. 1 and3, the housings. are supported on arms 17 from Fig.1 that as yoke 18l2is drawn downwardly, the arms 18 'will be rotated outvalvesschematically; the valve body 23 has an inlet port 23.1 supplied bycompressed air from a source not shown; outlet ports 23.2 and 23.3through which air is selectively discharged into piping serving thecylinders; an exhaust air port 23.4; internal bypass passages 23.5 and23.6; and valve mechanisms 23.7 and 23.8 by means of which the supplyand exhaust of air are controlled. Means for operating said valvemechanisms include a rocker arm 24 having a suitable mechanicalconnection to the valve mechanisms of each side of the pivot 24.1 asindicated by the dotted lines. It will be noted that when the arm 24 isrotated about its pivot, the respective valve mechanisms will be rotatedin opposite directions;-and it will be understood that suitable stopmeans (not shown) will limit-the rotation of the mechanisms toone-quarter turn in either direction. A spring 25 biases the am 24 formovement in one direction and a-solenoid having an armature 26operatively associated with the arm 24, will, upon energization of coil26.1, rotate the arm in the opposite direction against the bias of saidspring. The switch 22 may be of any conventional foot or knee operatedtype. As shown, the switch is normally open (as by a suitable springbias, not shown) and effort by the operator is required to close thecircuit.

It is apparent that with switch 22 in open circuit position, the brushes16 are moved to inoperative position and the clutch is disengaged byreason of the distribution of the compressed air by the valvemechanisms. Valve 23.7 diverts air through passage 23.5 to a dischargeport 23.3 whence it flows to piping 18.6 of cylinder 18.4 and to piping14.1 of cylinder 14. Valve 23.8 is in a position opening port 23.2 tothe discharge port 23.4 through passage 23.6, whereupon the respectivecylinders 14 and 18.4 will be vented through their piping connections14.2 and 18.5.

The compressed air has therefore driven the pistons of the respectivecylinders to one extreme of movement. Piston rod 12 of the clutchoperator has rotated the clutch actuator lever to a retracted positionin which the clutch jaws 8.3 are relaxed and the clutch mechanism istherefore rotating idly. Piston rod 18.3 operating through links 18.1has rotated the brush actuating arms 18 about their respective pivots towithdraw the brushes 16 to inoperative position and said brushes aretherefore rotating idly.

Assuming the work W to be in position and located by one of the stops3.3 to establish the place at which insulation is to be removed, theoperator closes switch 22 which.

energizes solenoid coil 26.1 to rotate the valves 23.7 and 23.8 to theirsecond operating position. This establishes the following airdistribution pattern: The port 23.3 is connected through the air exhaustport 23.4 and port 23.2 is disconnected therefrom. Inlet port 23.1 isconnected to port 23.2 and disconnected from passage 23.5. Passage 23.6is blocked at valve 23.8. Air then enters the cylinder ports 14.2 and18.5 moving the respective pistons in their cylinders to the oppositeends thereof. The clutch operation takes place immediately by reason ofthe rotation of actuator arm 18 in clockwise direction, as viewed inFig. 6, but brush actuation is delayed by means of a throttling valve 27(which is preferably in the form of an adjustable orifice) in the airline 18.6 of cylinder 18.4. This insures the rotation of the work Wbefore the brushes come into operation. It will be noted that when theswitch 21 is again opened to establish the opposite air flow pattern,the throttling valve 27 will delay the return movement of the piston ofbrush actuation cylinder 18.4, whereas the piston of cylinder 14 willmove immediately. However, the spring 12.1 of piston rod 12 and thecollar 11 which provides the driving connection between said piston rodand clutch lever 10 establishes a mechanical delay against release ofthe clutch elements. Said delay, however, is ineffective during thestage of engagement of the clutch. Therefore by appropriate selection ofthe spring 12.1 in its relationship to other operating components of theclutch mechanism, the clutch may be arranged 'into their establishedoperating position.

"claims all such modifications as fall within the true to releasecoincidentally with or immediately following or both of the brush levers17 with respect to the arms 18, i the brushes may be arranged to produceonly a light burnishing contact of either or both of them with theexposed conductor, whereupon the clutch assembly is only lightly loadedat the completion of the insulation removal operation.

In the operation of the machine, the operator spaces the several stops3.2 pursuant to the number and spacing of the portions along the wire atwhich insulation is to be removed. Then assuming the machine to be inoperation, he feeds the wire through the clutch and the bearings 4 untilthe end of the wire strikes the first of the stops. By closing thesolenoid valve circuit, the operator then causes the clutch, to engagethe wire and the brushes to move If, because of exceptionally resistantinsulation, or if one or both of the brushes is equipped with finebristles, the bristles tend to spread as they engage the work, thesloping faces of the bearings engage the tips of the brushes andrestrict the spreading. This effectively establishes a maximum width ofinsulation removal while protecting the brush bristles against unwanteddeformation.

After the insulation has been removed at the first station, the operatorcauses the control system to disengage the clutch and retract thebrushes, whereupon he advances the'wire to the next station at which theprocess is re peated. v

The insulation waste falls through an appropriately positioned chute Cinto a waste bin B disposed below the 35 machine.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: r

1. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprisingmeans for rotatably supporting said wire at locations establishing thelength of insulation to be removed, a rotatable brush disposed on eachside of said wire, means for bringing the bristles of each said brushinto and out of engagement with said wire, said Wire supporting meanshaving substantially conical head width of said brushes, means forrotating said brushes,

and means for rotating the wire about its axis during the engagement ofsaid insulation by said brushes.

2. Mechanism as in claim 1, in which said support means are adjustablyspaced relative to each other.

3. Mechanism as in claim 1, in which the substantially conical faces ofsaid support means are in mutually opposing relationship and havetubular hard metal surfaces for engagement with the bristles of thesides of said brushes.

4. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprisingmeans for rotatably supporting said wire at locations establishing thelength of insulation to be removed, a rotatable, relatively flat,bristle-provided brush disposed on at least one side of said wire, meansfor bringing said brush into and out of engagement with said wire, saidwire supporting means having conical head portions engageable with thebristles of said brush at the radially outermost sides of said brush tolimit the spread of the bristles in an axial direction and thus toestablish the maximum effective width of said brushes, means forrotating said brush, and means for rotating ward, a brush rotatablycarried as the free end of each said arm member, 'meansfor rotatingeachsaid brush,'means for conjointly rotatinggsaid arm members in a verticalplane toward or away from said wireto cause the brushes to engageordisengage said insulation, stop means for limiting the rotation ofsaid arm members toward said wire, and means for independently adjustingthe travel of each said arm member relative to the work.

6. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length of wire, comprising awork table, means fixed relative to said table for rotatablysupportingsaid wire while establishing the length of'insulation to beremoved, arm members'pivotally mounted. on. said :work table on each'side ofsaid Wire and extending substantially vertically upward, a brushrotatably carried as the free end of each said arm member, means forrotating said brushes, means for conjointly rotating said arm members ina vertical plane toward or' away from said wire to .cause the brushes toengage or disengage said insulation, stop means for limiting therotationof said' arm' members toward said wire, a single means fordriving said arm memberrotating means, and means interposed between saidsingle driving means and the respectivearm members for V 8 r of Wire,comprising means for r wire at spaced locations establishing the lengthof insulation tobe removed, a rotatableibrush disposedon rotatablysupporting said each side of said wire'intermediatesaid supportingmeans,

.a pivotally mountedjar'mmemb'er forsupportingeach brush formovement'towar'd and "away from saidwire a lever individual to each saidarm memberand mounted for rotation relative thereto, amotor forjconjointly' r10 tating each said lever, and means for connecting eacharm member. to its associated lever to be rotated there;

' by, said means having an adjustment optionally per;

effecting diflerent arcs of movement of each arm memb'er towardsaidjinsulation. V l

7. Mechanism for removinginsulation from a length of wire, comprisingmeans for rotatably supporting said wire "at'lo'cations establishing-thelength of insulation to be removed, rotatable brush disposed on eachside'of said wire, a brush support member for each brush to bringthe-same into and out of engagement with said wire between said supportmeans, a fluid-pressure operated devicefor actuating said brush supportmembers, means for rotating said brushes, means for rotating saidwire-about its axis during the engagement o'f'said insulation by saidbrushes, said means including a clutch for engaging said wireto effectsaid rotation, a fluid pressure actuated device for actuating saidclutch, valve means for controlling flow ,of fluid under pressure to therespective' fluid pressure actuated device, means for operat ing saidvalve means, and means for delaying the operation of one of said fluidactuated devices'relative to the other.

8. Mechanism according to claim 6, in which at least one of said fluidpressure actuated device's comprises an .air cylinder, a'pistontherein'and conduits for admitting air under pressure into said cylinderselectively on each sideof said' piston and the delay means includes athrottling valve in at least one of said air-admission con-' duits.

9. Mechanism for removing insulation from a length mitting'freemovementfof said lever relative to its associated'arm member. 1

10., Mechanism for removinginsulation from a length of wire, comprisingmeans forrotatablysupporting. said. wire at spaced locationsestablishingthe length of in sulation to be. removed,ja rotatable brush disposed on,each side of said wire intermediate said supporting means," a pivotallymounted arm member for supporting each. 7

brush for-movementtoward and away from said-.wire,; a lever individualjoeach said arm member and mounted for rotation relative thereto, eachsaidarm member and lever having a common axis of rotation, a fluid actuated,

motor for conjointly rotating each said lever, and means to be rotated,thereby, saidmeans having an adjustment for connecting each arm memberto its associated lever optionally permitting said leverv to beangularly dis-.

placed relative to its associated arm member.

11. Mechanism for removing insulation-from a length each side of saidwire intermediate'said supporting means a lever individualto each saidarm member and mounted for rotation relative thereto, each said armmember and 1' said lever being mounted on-a common pivot in overlyingrelationship one with the other, a motor for CO]1 jointly rotating eachsaid lever, means for adjustably establishing the limits of rotation ofsaid levers, 'and' means for connecting each arm member to its,associated lever to be rotated thereby, said means including'a yokedisposed on 'said lever and having members embracing said arm member. vv V 12. Mechanism as in claim 11, in Which'at least one of said yokemembershas a screw adjustably engaging a side wall of said arm member toestablish a desired .of wire, comprising means for rotatably supportingsaid .wire at spaced locations establishing the length-ofinsulationto'be removed, a rotatable brushdisposed on 'a pivotallymounted arm member for supporting each brush for movement toward andaway from said wire,fl

angularl relationship between said lever and said arm member. V rReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,473,582 Leedom Nov. 6, 1923 1,532,717 Schiller Apr. 7, 1925 1,930,219Zimber Oct. 10, 1 933 1,970,031 'Collins Aug. 14, 1934 2,307,046 JohnsonJan. 5, 1943 Penn et al. Aug; 25, 1953

